Don't Be Stick-in-the-muddish

Shady Abuyusuf

Thu, 09 May 2024

321

Conversation 1

Shady: Good morning, how can I assist you today?

Student: Hi Shady, I was wondering if you could explain the usage of the informal suffix "-ish" in English.

Shady: Of course! The suffix "-ish" is quite versatile and informally used to indicate an approximate quality or characteristic, or to suggest something is somewhat like or related to a particular thing.

Student: Can you give me some examples of how it's used?

Shady: Certainly! Let's start with time. For instance, if someone says, "I'll be there around fiveish," it means they'll arrive approximately around five o'clock.

Student: Ah, I see. So it's used to imply an approximation.

Shady: Exactly! It's often used in this manner for size or quantity as well. For example, if someone describes another person as "tallish," it means they're somewhat tall, but not extremely so.

Student: Got it. And what about colour?

Shady: If someone says, "The paint is reddish," it suggests that the color is somewhat red in hue, but not a pure red.

Student: That makes sense. What about temperature?

Shady: "It's warmish outside" implies that the weather is somewhat warm, but not excessively so.

Student: And how about manner?

Shady: If someone describes another person as "shyish," it suggests that they're somewhat shy in their demeanour.

Student: Interesting. And age?

Shady: "She's thirtyish" indicates that the person is around thirty years old, but not precisely thirty.

Student: What about likeness or resemblance?

Shady: If someone says, "It's bluish-green," it suggests that the colour is somewhat blue and somewhat green, creating a blended hue.

Student: Lastly, what about degree?

Shady: "The soup is saltyish" implies that the soup is somewhat salty, but not overly so.

Student: Thank you, Shady! That clears things up for me.

Shady: You're welcome! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Conversation 2

Student: Shady, I have some more questions about slang terms with the suffix "-ish."

Shady: Absolutely, let me provide clear definitions and examples for each term.

Student: What does "laddish" mean?

Shady: "Laddish" refers to behaviour typically associated with young men in groups, characterized by being boisterous, rowdy, or displaying stereotypical "lad" behaviour. For example, a group of young men at a football match shouting and joking loudly would be described as "laddish."

Student: Ah, I see. And what about "blokeish" or "blokish"?

Shady: "Blokeish" or "blokish" describes positive behaviour associated with men, such as straightforwardness, bluffness, and lack of affectation. For instance, imagine a man chatting with everyone at a pub in a friendly and straightforward manner, without any pretence or affectation. That would be an example of someone being "blokeish" or "blokish."

Student: Interesting. How about "stick-in-the-muddish"?

Shady: "Stick-in-the-muddish" describes someone who is unadventurous or reluctant to try new things. It's derived from the phrase "stick-in-the-mud," which means someone who is dull or unimaginative. For example, if all their friends want to go skydiving, but they'd rather stay home and watch TV, you could say they're being "stick-in-the-muddish."

Student: And what does "wimpish" mean?

Shady: "Wimpish" describes someone who is ineffectual or lacking in strength or courage. It's used to characterize someone as weak or timid. For instance, if you have a friend who always avoids confrontations and is afraid to stand up for themselves, you might describe their behaviour as "wimpish."

Student: Lastly, what's the meaning of "Kevinish"?

Shady: "Kevinish" is a British slang term used disparagingly to describe someone as common, uncouth, or vacuous. It's derived from the noun form "Kevin" and is often associated with stereotypes of certain fashion styles or behaviours. For example, someone dressing in a very outdated fashion, wearing white socks with sandals and a mullet haircut, might be jokingly referred to as "Kevinish."

Student: Thank you so much for providing these clear definitions and examples, Shady! It really helps to understand how these slang terms are used.

Shady: You're welcome! I'm glad I could help clarify things. If you have any more questions or need further explanations, feel free to ask!